Title of Event:

Name of Organisation:

Date and time of the session:

Ontario 's Approach to Urban Sustainability

Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Renewal

Tuesday, June 20, 2006., 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Key Highlights

1. Estimated no of participants: 70
2. Stakeholder group representation at the event: The networking session included four stakeholder presenters/ several stakeholder participants from across the globe.
3. What were the expected objectives: To present Ontario's current sustainability approaches and programs; exchange information and dialogue with international participants on sustainability issues; enhance learning on successful approaches to sustainability.
4. What did the networking event achieve: The presentation was well-received, there was active discussion and dialogue with participants; Ontario government and stakeholder participants' understanding of sustainability as an international issue was enhanced and broadened.

2. What were the core issues identified in your event as they relate to the theme and sub-themes of WUFIII?

• Urban Growth and Environment - The Shape of Cities: Urban Planning and Management :
  The Ontario Greenbelt and Places to Grow plans illustrated the global issue of the necessary balance between supporting and enhancing growth and settlement, while protecting environmentally sensitive resources.
• Social Inclusion and Cohesion:
  Community stakeholders, as representatives of the larger community made presentations illustrating their involvement in the government's sustainability planning process, and how the community's needs and viewpoints have been brought forward and included.

3. What were the main points raised by panellists and participants in relation to these different issues? What new ideas have been generated as a result of the discussion?

• The balance between urban development and environmental protection is complex, requires a many-faceted approach, and strong political support, including meaningful community participation. Governments must work together and with citizens to make transformative change
• Successful management of urban growth issues requires planning with all stakeholders to achieve workable and successful outcomes and solutions.

4. What process steps have been identified in your event that could help turn ideas into operational reality?

• Successful planning must include citizen input at all major stages, and is crucial to implementation, especially the implementation of "lofty" goals.